Glossary

A guide to acronyms (and abbreviations), words and phrases used throughout the Environment Canterbury website. Look in the 'By Subject' tab to find groups of terms relevant to a specific topic.

Some terms might have definitions in addition to those in this glossary.

Use the online Māori Dictionary to help with translating words between Te Reo Māori/English.

Backflow
the flow of water or other liquids, mixtures, or substances into the distributing pipes of a water supply from a source or sources other than intended. Back-siphonage is one type of backflow.
Backflow preventer
a device used to prevent water pollution or contamination in irrigation systems.
Background concentrations of hazardous substances
many hazardous substances are naturally present as trace elements in the environment, at background concentrations. When the concentrations of these substances exceed certain values in soil, sediment, groundwater, surface water or air, they can present a risk to human health or the environment.
Ballance Farm Environment Awards
recognises and celebrates good farm practices which promotes sustainable land management through an annual awards programme.
Bed material
boulders, stones, gravel, sand, silt and associated materials present in the beds of rivers.
Berm
elevated land between stopbanks and the main channel fairway designed to protect the stopbanks.
Bioaccumulation
the uptake of a substance (usually toxic substance) from the environment and from food, that is stored long-term (accumulates) in the tissues of living organisms.
Biodiversity
biological diversity (biodiversity) describes the variety of all biological life: the different species, fro micro-organisms to trees, animals and fungi; the genes they comprise; and the ecosystems they collectively form. This includes diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems.
Biodiversity Pest Programme
seeks to protect biodiversity values in targeted areas by reducing or eliminating the threats imposed by certain plants (and animals).
Biota
the animal and plant life of a region.
Braided river
any river with multiple successively divergent and rejoining channels separated by gravel islands.
BAFF
Bio Acoustic Fish Fence
BBQ
Barbecue
BCA
Building Consent Authority
BCI
Barrhill-Chertsey Irrigation
BCIL
Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation Limited
BComAg
Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture)
BERL
Business and Economic Research Limited
BFEA
Ballance Farm Environment Awards
BHC
Benzene Hexachloride
BIC
Benmore Irrigation Company
BMX
Bicycle motocross
BOD
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
BOD
Biological Oxygen Demand
BP
Banks Peninsula
BPWZC
Banks Peninsula Water Zone Committee
Br
Bridge
BSA
Biosecurity Act 1993
BTEX
Benzene Toluene Ethyl benzene Xylene
Bus(es)
Omnibus(es)